As earlier planned, Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) fulfilled the promise of hosting monthly breakfast meetings with the Uganda Premier League members.
The inaugural meeting was held on Monday, August 24, 2020 at May Apple Hall, Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.
The FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo graced the meeting, well attended by the UPL governing members and the different club chairpersons and other representatives.
The 1st FUFA-UPL Breakfast meeting was held at MayApple Hall, Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala
‘As we FUFA, we had a promise to initiate FUFA-UPL breakfast monthly meetings, we have delivered. Let us remain supportive as we continue to involve the different parties. We all have a common agenda which is sport. There is a lot of value addition. We must protect the brand of the UPL, it is a baby we must protect at all times.’ Eng. Magogo remarked.
Eng. Magogo notified that clubs about the availability of the COVID-19 relief funds which will finally be disbursed to the respective club accounts and also informed them of the possibility to acquire the loan for football development (for infrastructural development and football projects).
‘FUFA is in control of these COVID-19 funds. The objective is to compensate losses by making payments directly to the club accounts. We also have to ensure that football eventually resumes since you are aware that there 22 unfinished matches that have to be completed before the season new season resumes in October 2020’ Eng. Magogo added.
FUFA Deputy CEO – Football Decolas Kiiza retaliated the urgency and systematic need for the return of football, also hinting about the date and venue of the 96th FUFA Ordinary Assembly.
‘There is need to return to the fields of play by yesterday rather than tomorrow. FUFA continues to engage Government through the National Council of Sports and Ministry of Health on how football can best return, even without fans in respect of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s)’ Kiiza noted.
UPL CEO Bernard Bainamani labeled the 2020-21 football season as a unique one where Force majeure element (Coronavirus pandemic) came into play to force the abrupt end of the StarTimes Uganda Premier League.
‘The 2019-20 StarTimes Uganda Premier League was unique in such a way that the Coronavirus pandemic caused an abrupt end of the season. This brought a situation where the remaining batch of the sponsors’ money has not been paid and there is a fraction is being discussed’ Bainamani stated.
The different club officials reacted onto the COVID-19 relief fund and StarTimes sponsorship money, sharing the views that will be forwarded ahead.
SC Villa’s Shawn Mubiru advised the clubs to take a strong stand, one that will not be compromised.
“This is a big challenge that we have to face as UPL. We must take a strong stand as one entity and bargain for the best” Mubiru said.
Vipers’ chairperson George William Mulindwa urged the negotiations to go ahead with either parties presenting their case as a lasting solution is sought.
“There is need to call for re-negotiations between the UPL and StarTimes until the best position will be reached” Mulindwa urged.
Busoga United’s chairperson Diana Hope Nyago hailed the meeting and believes this is the right forum to discuss the ideas between clubs, UPL and the Federation.
She retaliated how the economic concession has affected all the clubs, politely asking FUFA to disburse the COVID-19 funds and as well continue engaging StarTimes for the remaining part of the sponsorship money.
‘This was really a good breakfast meeting because the ideas and real issues within the clubs are being discussed. We ask the Federation to release the COVID-19 money and as well continue to engage the league sponsors (StarTimes) for the remaining monies’ she stated.
KCCA’s Moses Kaddu urged FUFA to quickly intervene in the re-start of football with the Central Government since KCCA and Vipers will be representing the country on the continent in the nearby future.
‘We politely ask FUFA for an allowance to allow KCCA and Vipers to start preparation for the CAF engagements which will be happening before the end of the year’ Kaddu appealed.
Wakiso Giants’ Chairman Hassan Lule called upon the value for money that each club is warranted to receive.
Peter Emojong, representing newly promoted Malaba Youth Development Association (MYDA) Football Club welcomed FUFA’s idea of the loan arrangement to clubs, especially community clubs like MYDA.
The next meeting will be held on Monday, 28th September 2020 (venue will be communicated).